Automatic train-control device



W. V. TURNER. AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1918.

1,378,389. Patented May 17, 1921.

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WALTER V. TURNER, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO THE WEST- INGHOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, OF WILMEBDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-CONTROL DEVICE.

Application filed June 24, 1918.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, WALTER V. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Control Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic train control devices, and more particularly to means for controlling the apparatus on the train, from the track.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means responsive to rays of light for automatically controlling the movements of railway trains. I

In the accompanying drawing; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of an automatic train control equipment embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 a sectional view of a modified controlling valve device adapted for venting air from the brake pipe for effecting an application of the brakes.

According to my invention, I utilize the property of certain substances to respond to light rays, and as well adapted for this purpose, I preferably employ the well known selenium cell, which has the property, that the resistance to the flow of electric current is reduced when the cell is subjected to rays of light.

This property may bev utilized in various ways for controlling railway trains, and in Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown one way in which the apparatus may be constructed.

According to the construction shown in Fig. 1, a selenium cell 1 may be provided on the vehicle, which is connected up in circuit with a source of current 2 and a solenoid coil 3.

The solenoid coil 3 is adapted to operate a switch 4 for controlling a circuit including the source of current 2 and an electromagnet coil 5.

For controlling the train, a valve device 6 is provided which is adapted to vary the fluid pressure on a train speed controlling device, such for example, as that shown in my prior Patent No. 1259567, dated March 19,1918.

The controlling valve device 6 may com- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma 17, 1921. Serial No. 241,481.

prise a casing having a piston chamber 7 contalning a piston 8 and a valve chamber 9' connected by pipe 10 to a source ot'fluid pressure, such as the reservoir 11, and contalnlng a slide valve 12.

The plston 8 is provided with a port 13, through whlch fluid under pressure can equallze from valve chamber 9 to the piston chamber 7, and for varying the pressure in piston chamber 7, the magnet coil 5 may be arranged to operate a valve, 14 which is adapted to control the venting of fluid from piston chamber 7 to an atmospheric exhaust port'15.

In operation, when the selenium cell 1 is not acted upon by rays of light, the resistance of same issuch that the solenoid coil 3 W111. not be energized sufli'ciently to effect the closing of switch 4 and consequently, the

circuit including the magnet coil 5 is open at the switch 4 and the magnet 5 being deenerglzed, the valve 14 will be held seated by spring 16.

Fluid can therefore equalize through port 13 1n piston 8, so that the fluid pressures on opposite sides of the piston 8 become balanced, permitting the spring 17 to maintain the piston 8 and slide valve 12 in the positions shown in Fig. 1.

In this position, the slide valve 12 connects a pipe 18 leading to the speed control devlce, through a-cavity 19, with an exhaust port 20.

.Along the track, at each desired point, is located a bank of lights 22 which may be lighted when adanger condition exists, or extinguished, when it is safe to proceed without reducing the speed of the train, the lights being controlled by an automatic signal system, or otherwise.

If the train passes abank of. lights in the lighted condition, the rays of light will act on the selenium cell 1, to reduce the resist ance, so as to permit the flow of sufficient current from the-source of current to energize' the solenoid coil 3 with the necessary valve chamber 9, so as to shift the valve 12 and connect the pipe 18 with valve chamber 9.

Fluid under pressure is then supplied to the speed control device for effecting a re duction in the train speed.

It will be evident that the light responvsive means may be employed to control various other forms of train control valve devices, such as the one shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, in which the valve device may 1 control the direct venting of fluid from the brake pipe 21, to effect an application of the haust port 20; so that fluid is vented from the brake pipe to effect an application of the brakes.

It will be evident that my invention may also be employed in connection with a continuous bank of lights along the track, which may be lighted normally and adapted upon the lights being extinguished to operate the apparatus on the train to effect a change in speed or stoppage of the train.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a train control system, the combination with apparatus on the train for controlling the train, of means responsive to light for controlling the operation of said apparatus and a plurality of sources of light banked together and located at a point along the track for controlling said means.

In testimony whereof I. have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER V. TURNER. 

